This renovated 1940s cottage supports our ministry to create work programs for developmentally disabled adults. Located on a peaceful 27-acre property, you will be on a private road with a basketball court, playground and several open acres to play, walk and enjoy your stay. The kitchen has all accoutrement to cook family meals and the open living area has an Amazon Smart TV, simple DVD player, and laptop space.
We have a large family, so this cottage was designed with families and your relaxation in mind. Throughout the home, vinyl flooring was installed for easy clean up and soft landings for new walkers and toddlers, and quick clean up supplies are in easy reach.
You may also notice that there are no bunk beds for kids to fall from or fight over, limited knick-knacks in open view and a few coloring books, toys and various books for young readers. We purposefully have simple décor with open space to play, so there are small dressers for the kids in the closets along with hangers, table lights and night lights.
In the living room, there is a 39-inch Amazon TV to stream movies, as well as a DVD player. Inside the TV cabinet, there are cards, a few puzzles in different age ranges and abilities, family-friendly games, and limited DVDs. (The TV cabinet and mirror in the photos are tethered to the wall.)
The kitchen has basics for family cooking and eating, children's dishes (plastic bowls, plates and cups in 4 different colors), a small coffee area and basic cleaning supplies. We try to stock a few snack items in case you get in late or have a late morning and need snacks, but there is a Dollar General Market about 5 minutes away and Kroger delivers groceries if you want to plan ahead.
As shown in photos and layout, you will find the set up as follows:
Bedroom 1 - Queen bed across the hall from the bathroom.
Bedroom 2 - Higher bed with trundle underneath as well as a separate twin bed.
Bedroom 3 - Three (3) twin beds in a U shape with room for kids to play, if needed.
Utility Room - Off the kitchen is a very large utility room with a full-sized futon bed that can sleep two comfortably. Linens are provided.
Laurel Bend's main purpose is to create a safe and enjoyable, family-friendly venue for weddings, reunions and other retreats while providing work and job training for adults with developmental disabilities. Part of our program will involve animals, so as we progress, we will be adding more animals and offerings. We currently are breeding angora goats (we had four kids born 2023) and have ten Suri and Huacaya alpacas (Dark Chocolate with white on his nose has been with us the longest and is the friendliest) which are in the pastures across our private road from the cottage. Because goats and alpacas are not friendly to outside animals, we can’t accept family pets.
